Comma Press Science and fiction titles
Litmus Short Stories from Modern Science Ed. Ra Page Featuring: Sarah Hall, Sara Maitland, Stella Duffy, Kate Clanchy Alison MacLeod, Sean O'Brien, Maggie Gee, Jane Rogers, Frank Cottrell Boyce, Adam Marek and more. With: Prof Jim Al-Khalili, Prof Denis Noble, Prof Giacomo Rizzolatti, Dr Martyn Amos, Dr Tim O’Brien, Dr Rob Appleby and more. ‘Exquisite…delectable’ – New Scientist 'Works brilliantly... ingenious... unfailingly interesting’ – The Independent
Litmus – The concept • 15 stories that retell key moments of scientific discovery. • Authors work in consultation with a scientific advisor. • Each scientific advisor provides an afterword on the scientific content. • Brings science to life for the lay-reader. • Dispels ‘Eureka’ myths, and foregrounds the collaborative nature of scientific research.
The Rules • The science had to be right. • No anachronisms. • Fictional characters could be created but no part of the discovery could be credited to them. • The scientist didn’t need to be the main character.
Commissioning • Think about how the book will be marketed during the commissioning stage. • Hang the book on a concept that can be summarised in a couple of sentences. • Cross-pollination of fiction readership. • Cross-pollination of science readership.
During the creative process • Let people play to their strengths. • Encourage the authors to make use of their advisor. • Allow the authors to take creative risks. • Be prepared to mediate.
Marketing Use your partners’ reach: • Authors (social media, interviews, by-line publicity) • Scientists (social media, university publicity mechanism) • Launch event: Festivals • Press reviews • Broadcast media
Litmus launch at the Hay Festival, May 2011
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